Burundi: Two foreign journalists arrested with 15 suspected criminals

Seventeen people, including two foreign journalists, have been arrested in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura.

17 pers arrêtées à #Nyakabiga & #Jabe dont les journalistes Moore Philip Edward, britannique et jpremylemonde , français. #Burundi 2/3

— Willy Nyamitwe (willynyamitwe) January 28, 2016

The arrests were made after they were seen in the company of armed men, authorities said.

“These two foreigners were arrested in the company of an armed criminal group,” said the Ministry of Public Security in a statement.

Earlier, the ministry announced on the national radio and television of Burundi, RTNB, that “two foreigners, one French and one British journalists with accreditation were arrested Thursday”.

#Burundi : A la RTNBurundi je viens d'apprendre l'arrestation de 17 pers à #Nyakabiga & #Jabe et saisie d'armes 1/3 pic.twitter.com/vU8uYjVR7x

— Willy Nyamitwe (willynyamitwe) January 28, 2016

The two journalists are Jean-Philippe Rémy, regional correspondent of French daily Le Monde, and Phil Moore, a British freelance photographer.

Burundi is plunged in violence after the brutal repression of demonstrations in April 2015 against a proposed third term of President Pierre Nkurunziza, elected in July in an election boycotted by the opposition.

Since then, demonstrations, a failed coup and armed rebellion left more than 400 dead and 200,000 forced into exile.

The disturbances have also led to most private press houses forced to close down.